Ancients: Coins of Syracuse, Sicily Help

That makes sense. I like to think that the obverse of the coin is the side with the head on it but It makes sense why thats not always the case.

 

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After looking for a few hours I found 2 that I really like. What do you guys think?




Can't decide.

 

Curious? => where are those from, vcoins? (they are both fairly nice)

... I went and checked and discovered that they were both in the same cost-range as the following coin ...

Ummm, how 'bout this cool Syracuse offering from Dionysus I's period:

http://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=264417

... sweet (super-sweet, but perhaps a bit too pricey?)

However, the two dolphin drachms that you mentioned are bigger coins (more like your attic owls) ... the sweet crisp example that I suggested is a smaller coin, so I'm not sure that it would do it for ya? (if I had to choose one of the dolphins I would choose the second example, for it has a better obverse legend and slightly better dolphins ... ummm, but the glare on the photo makes me wonder what it'll really look like in-hand?) ........ hmmm, but the first example seems to have slightly better surfaces (wow, it's a toss-up)

... they're all winners!! (sorry I couldn't have been more help ... oh, but picking your favourite is the fun part ... I'm sure that you'll figure it out)

 

I know its so hard to decide! The first one has nicer surfaces and I like the brown color but the second one better details and greens great too!!! Soooooo hard to choose!

Also I was looking for coins from Dionysus I but that is a really nice coin you linked to. Its more of a coin from the end of the Second Democracy rather than Dionysus I. I think.... Someone please correct me if Im wrong.

 

Still debating on those 2. If anyone has any input feel free to reply but for now I can just drool over this coin. Too bad it's way over my price range.

 

Certainly the too expensive coin is best but I prefer the green #2 over the porous first coin. My personal example is weak missing the legend altogether but was selected as good evidence that these were struck on ball shaped flans with sprues that connected them when cast. Mine is much thicker than most with rounded shoulders more extreme than the better ones shown here above. The examples shown here demonstrate well how hard it is to grade and compare ancients where strike and surfaces can be much more important than wear.

 

Im leaning towards the second one too... I like your example. I agree that grading ancients is difficult to do. But that just makes it more appealing to me. I like that you can touch the coins every so often and not have to worry about ruining the grade. I also like how each one is someone different. No two are exactly alike.